Exhaust apparatus for internal combustion engines



y 12, 1954 K. H. FOX 3,132,474

EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed April 26. 1962 K3111; H. F OX INVENTOR.

United States Patent 2,132,474 EXHAUST APPARATUS non INTERNAL 0MBUSTION ENGINES Kirk H. Fox, Grants Pass, titreg assignor to Gates and Fox (30., Inc, Burlingame, Calif., a corporation of Caiifornin Filed Apr. 26, 1962, 801'. N0. 1%,424 2 Claims. (Cl. 60-60) This invention relates to exhaust systems for internal combustion engines. More particularly, this invention relates to such a system having means for removing noxious and deleterious components from the exhaust gases traveling in the system.

In the construction of mines, tunnels and other such projects, problems arise in the use of equipment powered by internal combustion engines, more particularly diesel engines. Exhaust gases from such engines contain a considerable amount of noxious components such as aldehydes, oxides, noncombustibles, etc., and while such materials may be discharged into open, circulating air, in confined spaces such discharge of materials may result in injuries to personnel and equipment. Even in open spaces, danger of air pollution may be a problem. Consequently, it has been proposed in the past, where air-pollution problems exist, to install in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine some means for removing the harmful materials before the exhaust gases are expelled. A general object of the invention is to provide an improved-exhaust system for an engine, operable to remove harmful materials from exhaust gases .in a simple, practical, and efiicient manner.

Various types of apparatus and devices have been proposed for treating exhaust gases, however, most have been characterized by a number of disadvantages. Some, for instance, have relied upon a special fluid that is recirculated during treatment, which usually requires expensive and complicated equipment, and replacement of the fluid circulated at specified intervals (if the concentration of impurities therein is not to become excessive). Some systems have included a bubble tank or similar arrangement, where exhaust gases are bubbled through a liquid in the tank.. In such systems, again, the concentration of impurities in theliquid builds up with a resulting decrease in'the effectiveness of the liquid asa treating medium. Further, after perods of use the liquid warms, causing less effective removal of certain materials because of the higher temperatures. A common disadvantage that has characterized many systems is that they have pro duced an undesirable back pressure, whichv has the immediate effect of sharply decreasing the horsepower output of an engine, andthe longer range effect of reducing the life of an engine. 7

Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, that may be constructed so that substantially no increase in back pressure results through its use, over that which would result in a conventional exhaust line. As a corollaryto the above, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved exhaust system, where the horsepower output and the life of an engine are not affected significantly by use of the device.

Another object is to provide an improved exhaust system where a fluid (water) is continuously supplied into the system for treating exhaust gases, such fluid being Patented May 12, 19642 expelled as it is used from the discharge end of the system without recirculation of the fluid.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in an exhaust system including means for removing noxious materials from exhaust gases, a novel means for spraying a treating fluid into the system, and a novel construction whereby such fluid is then removed from the system.

This invention contemplates, as a preferred embodimerit, an exhaust conduit for an engine which opens di rectly to the atmosphere at the discharge end of the conduit. The conduit has a looped portion between its end, including vertical reaches of pipe joined at their bottom ends by a bend. One of the vertical reaches of pipe includes a fog chamber, and within this fog chamber a jetmeans is provided facing gases coming into the chamber and operable to discharge into these gases finely dispersed sprays of water. Upon the water sprays being ejected into the fog chamber, they first travel as a countercurrent into oncoming exhaust gases, thence are caught by the gases and finallly are cleared from the chamber by traveling with the gases out the discharge end of the conduit. in the process complete mixing of the Water in the water sprays with the exhaust gases occurs. As a result, when the exhaust gases are discharged, the gases are relatively free of noxious materials, and Water droplets containing the materials are produced that quickly settle to the ground.

Thus, it is another object of the invention to provide an exhaust system that includes a novel fog chamber, and jet means Within this chamber operable to direct sprayed fluid as a countercurrent into a stream of exhause gases.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the invention, and the same is described hereinbelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawihgs, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a View, in somewhat simplified form, iiiustrah ing a typical vehicle of the type that may be powered by an internal combustion engine, the vehicle including an exhaust system as contemplated by this invention for handling exhaust gases from its engine;

FIG. 2 is a view, somewhat enlarged and with portions broken away, of portions of the exhaust system illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 33 in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, it? indicates generally a vehicle, more specifically a crawler tractor, such as may be found typically in an earth-moving operation carried out underground (or Where there is a confinement of air). An internal combustion engine, more specifically a diesel engine, is indicated by the block outline 12. In the type of operation discussed, exhaust gases from engine 12, unless treated, would be potentially injurious to personnel and equipment. Thus, engine 12 is provided with an exhaust line or conduit 14, as contemplated by this invention, which is operable to receive exhaust gases expelled from the engine, and discharge these intothe atmosphere, after first removing a major portion oi any noxious materials therein.

Exhaust line or conduit at includes a section of pipe forming an, intake end portion 14a that is connected to tween the intake and discharge end portions conduit 14 has vertical reaches, indicated at 14c and Md. The vertical reaches are joined at their bottom ends or extremities by a bend Me.

Exhaust gases travel along conduit 14, in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 1. In traveling down vertical reach of conduit Me, the gases become intimately mixed with a mass of finely dispersed water droplets. This mixing occurs in a pipe section 16 (part of vertical reach 140), that defines a fog chamber 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of enlarged cross section.

Considering now details of the construction of the fog chamber, section 16 includes a substantially cylindrical wall 20 intermediate its ends, and bounding a middle portion of chamber 18. Note that the inner radius of wall 20 is substantially larger than the inner radii of the pipe sections connected to either end of section 16 (about twice as large in the embodiment illustrated).

Pipe section 16 includes on either side of wall 2t. substantially frusto-conical walls 22, 24. These walls bound the ends of chamber 18. The frusto-conical Walls, together with wall 20, define a chamber 18 of substantially ovate outline, with openings at either end of the chamber along its major axis.

Mounted within the fog chamber, and facing the intake end portion of conduit 14, is a jet means indicated generally at 30. Jet means 30 includes four nozzles 32 that are operable to direct fine sprays of water as a countercurrent against gases flowing downwardly in reach 140 into chamber 18. The nozzles are mounted on a mounting 34, in positions equally circumferentially spaced about the major axis of chamber 18. The mounting and nozzles (i.e., the jet means) are substantially centrally of cylindrical wall 20, and on all sides of the mounting space is provided which enables gases to flow past the jet means. In the embodiment illustrated, as may be seen with reference to FIG. 3, a somewhat larger passage for gases exists around the jet means than is afforded by the pipe sections joined to section 16.

A supply means is provided for supplying water under pressure to jet means 30. The supply means comprises a supply pipe 36 connected to the mounting. The pipe extends out from the the back of the mounting and thence out to one side of section 16. Referring to FIG. 1, vehicle is provided with a pump 38 driven by a motor 40. A pipe 44 is connected at one end to the intake of the pump, and is connected at its other end to a tank 42 provided as a reservoir for holding water. Pipe 36 is connected to the discharge of pump 33. Control valve 46 and a pipe 49 constitutes a by-pass for the pump, and valve 46 and a valve 48 are used in making adjustments in the pressure of the water supplied to jet means 30.

Describing the operation of the exhaust system, water under pressure may be supplied by pump 38 through pipe 36 to jet means 30. This water is ejected by nozzles 32 into the fog chamber, as a plurality of fine sprays. The sprayed water is directed upwardly against inflowing exhaust gases, and mixes with the gases, with gas and water-spray flow patterns resulting generally as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. Mixing of the water with the exhaust gases for the most part occurs in the fog chamber. After the mixing, the water, as dispersed droplets, is carried by the exhaust gases back to and around jet means 30, and thence through conduit 14 to opening 15. Here the exhaust gases, which have now been cleaned of noxious materials, are ejected directly into the atmosphere, and the water droplets after a short interval settle to the ground.

The sprayed water is directed against the exhaust gases, in order to promote proper mixing. It is advantageous that the sprayed water be directed vertically upwardly against the gases traveling downwardly thereinto, since this counteracts any tendencies of the water to collect in undispersed form within the system. The mixture of exhaust gases and dispersed water droplets preferably is discharged into the atmosphere at an elevated point, to enable the droplets to become dispersed before finally setting to the ground.

While an embodiment of the invention has been described, it should'be obvious that various modifications and alterations are possible Without departing from the invention. It is desired to cover all alterations, modifications and variations that would be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure as Letters Patent:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine,

an exhaust line for exhaust gases having an inlet end connected to the engine and an outlet end communicating with the atmosphere,

said exhaust line between its said inlet and outlet ends including an upright leg disposed in the exhaust line so that gases flowing through the line enter the top of said leg, and then pass downwardly through the leg, whence they flow to said outlet end of the exhaust line,

said upright leg including a section of conduit defining an elongated chamber of substantially ovate outline having a major axis extending along the length of said leg and a minor axis extending transversely of said leg,

said chamber having an upper opening on the major axis of said chamber and adjacent top of said leg which accommodates the flow of gases into the chamber, and a lower opening on the major axis of said chamber and adjacent the bottom to said leg which accommodates the flow of gases out of the chamber,

jet means including plural nozzles, and a mounting for the nozzles, mounted within said chamber between the ends thereof,

said nozzles facing said upper opening of said chamber and being equally circumferentially spaced about the major axis of the chamber,

said nozzles having a position relative to said chamber whereby they eject fluid into the chamber at a point adjacent its said minor axis,

said mounting around its sides being spaced from the sides of said chamber, and

supply means for said jet means comprising a supply pipe extending from the underside of said mounting and thence to one side of said section of conduit.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine,

an exhaust line for exhaust gases having an inlet end connected to the engine,

said exhaust line including a U-shaped portion comprising a pair of upstanding legs joined at their bottom extremities by a bend, one of said legs of said U-shaped portion being disposed in said line so that gases flowing through the line enter the top of said one leg and then pass downwardly through the leg, the other of said legs of said U-shaped portion including an opening at the top end thereof communicating with the atmosphere and constituting an outlet end for the exhaust line, said one leg including a section of conduit defining an elongated chamber of substantially ovate outline having a major axis extending along the length of one leg and a minor axis extending transversely of said 7 said chamber having an upper opening on the major axis of said chamber and adjacent the top of said one leg which accommodates the flow of gases into the chamber, and a lower opening on the major axis of said chamber and adjacent the bottom of said one leg which accommodates the flow of gases out of the chamber,

jet means including plural nozzles, and a mounting for the nozzles, mounted Within said chamber between the ends thereof,

said nozzles facing said upper opening of said chamber and being equally circumferentially spaced about the major axis of the chamber,

said nozzles having a position relative to said chamber whereby they eject fluid into the chamber at a point adjacent its said minor axis,

said mounting around its sides being spaced from the sides of said chamber, and

supply means for said jet means comprising a supply pipe extending from the underside of said mounting and thence to one side of said section of conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mertz Feb. 1, 1916 Kolstrand Nov. 9, 1926 Sullivan Jan. 17, 1928 Kollgaard May 6, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 8, 1903 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, AN EXHAUST LINE FOR EXHAUST GASES HAVING AN INLET END CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE AND AN OUTLET END COMMUNICATING WITH THE ATMOSPHERE, SAID EXHAUST LINE BETWEEN ITS SAID INLET AND OUTLET ENDS INCLUDING AN UPRIGHT LEG DISPOSED IN THE EXHAUST LINE SO THAT GASES FLOWING THROUGH THE LINE ENTER THE TOP OF SAID LEG, AND THEN PASS DOWNWARDLY THROUGH THE LEG, WHENCE THEY FLOW TO SAID OUTLET END OF THE EXHAUST LINE, SAID UPRIGHT LEG INCLUDING A SECTION OF CONDUIT DEFINING AN ELONGATED CHAMBER OF SUBSTANTIALLY OVATE OUTLINE HAVING A MAJOR AXIS EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID LEG AND A MINOR AXIS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID LEG, 